Jae Crowder is proving the real return in the Justise Winslow deadline deal.
Most fans were upset (and justifiably so) when the Miami Heat traded Justise Winslow to the Memphis Grizzlies for a package based around weathered veterans.
Andre Iguodala, albeit the 2015 Finals MVP, is 35 years old. Jae Crowder was coming off one of the worst shooting stretches of his eight-year career. And Solomon Hill never had a legitimate shot at earning minutes with the Heat, given their desire for a deep postseason run.
Instead of what some fans thought was a sham of a return, Miami received two key contributors out of the three players they took back from Memphis. Iguodala has been a stud on the defensive end and Crowder, while known for his enforcer mentality, has shined offensively.
The latter has climbed Pat Riley’s offseason to-do list at a break-neck pace in the last few months, now giving the Heat a much-needed shooting boost now that they’re in the playoffs. Crowder is averaging 15 points per game and has knocked down 18 three-pointers in the four-game series.
While Andre Iguodala is helping the Miami Heat to contain the ball, Jae Crowder is doing that and boosting an already first-rate offense. If they can retain him in his upcoming free agency, he’ll prove the real prize return in that Justise Winslow trade.